ECZ evaluates performance of voter education in schools

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is holding a two-day review workshop to evaluate the performance of the voter education programme in schools which has been set up to disseminate information and to encourage voting among young people.

And ECZ Commissioner Emily Joy Sikazwe says the clubs were an important avenue of reaching out to the wider communities in sharing information about the electoral processes.

Meanwhile, Director Open and Distance Education Beatrice Moya who was speaking on behalf of the Ministry of General Education, called on ECZ and other stakeholders to explore areas of collaboration with her ministry in order to enhance information around voter and civic participation.

This is according to a statement issued by ECZ public relations manager Margaret Chimanse released Tuesday.

“ECZ is holding a review workshop from the 27th to 28th February, 2018 to evaluate the performance of Voter Education School Clubs (VESCs) that have been set up in all provinces of the country in order to disseminate voter education information and to encourage voting among young people. The commission provides voter education and information to members of the public and the electorate to promote effective and greater citizen’s participation,” sated Chimanse.

“The Voter Education School club initiative is aimed at instilling a culture of integrity, patriotism and civil participation among Zambian learners. This is done through disseminating voter education messages in schools involving learners in the fight against electoral malpractice, encouraging eligible learners to participate in the electoral process and creating a pool of volunteer voter educators among young people,” she stated.